Overview

A lyrical historical romance for fans of The English Patient

Eighteen-year-old Ellen never expected the Hallendorf school to be, well, quite so unusual. After all, her life back in england with her suffragette mother and liberated aunts certainly couldn?t be called normal. but buried deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, ellen discovers an eccentric world occupied by wild children and even wilder teachers, experimental dancers and a tortoise on wheels. And then there is ...

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Overview

A lyrical historical romance for fans of The English Patient

Eighteen-year-old Ellen never expected the Hallendorf school to be, well, quite so unusual. After all, her life back in england with her suffragette mother and liberated aunts certainly couldn’t be called normal. but buried deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, ellen discovers an eccentric world occupied by wild children and even wilder teachers, experimental dancers and a tortoise on wheels. And then there is the particurally intriguing, enigmatic, and very handsome Marek, part-time gardener and fencing teacher. ellen is instantly attracted to the mysterious gardener, but Hitler’s reich is already threatening their peaceful world. only when she discovers Marek’s true identity and his dangerous mission does ellen realize the depth of her feelings for him—and the danger their newfound love faces in the shadow of war.

What People Are Saying

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A lively read. (Library Journal)

Library Journal

Ellen, the lovely heroine of this romantic novel, is raised in London by a suffragist mother and aunts but rejects the liberated life. After graduating from a culinary school, she takes a job in Austria at a run-down boarding school for neglected rich children and transforms it with her beauty, hard work, and good cooking. Like Ellen, all the characters are pleasantly drawn if exaggerated stereotypes: Ellen's love interest, Marek, the school handyman, is really a brilliant composer hiding out from the Nazis; the scullery maid is beautiful and saintly; and all the children are budding geniuses. When the war intervenes, Ellen returns to England to build a sanctuary for her friends and other refugees; eventually she and Marek are reunited, and love conquers all. Ibbotson, who grew up in Austria and fled the Nazis herself, provides rich details of prewar life in Vienna and the alpine countryside. Her prose is like a Linzertortewell constructed but awfully sweet. Still, this is a lively read. Recommended for popular fiction collections.Reba Leiding, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Lib., Troy, NY

Kirkus Reviews

The molasses runs as deepþand sweetþas the Danube in this romantic drama set in an Austrian boarding school on the eve of Hitler's invasion. British novelist Ibbotson (The Morning Gift, 1993, etc.) offers a pleasant if inconsequential tale that follows the pre-war adventures of Londoner Ellen Carr after she takes the position of house mother at a socially progressive academy for budding Marxists, musicians, and artists. The position comes as a shock to Ellen's family; her mother and two aunts are committed suffragettes, having spent much jail time to free women of the burden of servile housework. But they learn, to their amazement, that this is the role Ellen has always yearned forþso much so that she dropped out of Cambridge to study home management and cooking. And now, under Ellen's gentle, resourceful care, Hallendorf School begins to function with Victorian efficiency; even the once-atheist children start attending church. Meanwhile, sensible Ellen is thrown among a quirky mix of instructorsþa Russian ballerina, a hysteric metalworks teacher, and an overly emotive drama coach. None of the staff, however, is as intriguing as the mysterious groundsman, Marek, who turns out to be a prominent Czech composer hiding incognito at the school to better facilitate the rescue of a Jewish friend from a concentration camp. Ellen and Marek's acquaintance grows into a deep friendship and then love, and an engagement ensues, taking the two to Marek's vast country estate. The Nazis, though, take revenge on Marek for helping with the escape of his friend, and mayhem breaks loose. Marek is believed lost, Ellen returns to London to marry an old admirer, and many of theHallendorf children seek refuge at the Carr residence. Will the two lovers reunite? Will the Allies win the war? A happy ending is, of course, guaranteed, though the predictability barely detracts from this companionable tale, populated with odd, likable characters. Fluff, but high-quality fluff.

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Meet the Author

Eva Ibbotson, born Maria Charlotte Michelle Wiesner (21 January 1925 – 20 October 2010), was an Austrian-born British novelist, known for her children's books. Some of her novels for adults have been successfully reissued for the young adult market in recent years. For the historical novel Journey to the River Sea (Macmillan, 2001), she won the Smarties Prize in category 9–11 years, garnered unusual commendation as runner up for the Guardian Prize, and made the Carnegie, Whitbread, and Blue Peter shortlists. She was a finalist for the 2010 Guardian Prize at the time of her death. Her last book, The Abominables, was one of eight books on the longlist for the same award in 2012.

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A Song For Summer Sang to My Heart

As an avid reader, I look at finding a good book as a challenge. When I'm not playing it safe and reading books by my favorite authors, I'm scoping out Barnes & Noble for something that will be able to keep my attention and challenge my mind. I was very pleased with the eloquent writing style in A Song For Summer. The book follows a beautiful love story that takes place during World War II. It is a story of both trying to be oneself amongst the expectations of others and listening to what you believe to be true and sticking with your gut even in times of a struggle. I don't mean to be cyptic in my review, I just have a strong belief in not giving away details of a good book. So if you want a sweet romance read, then pick this book up. You won't be displeased.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Amazing! Eva Ibbotson did it again

This is the third book I've read by this author and I think it has to be my favorite. The characters and the setting were so memorable and I found myself heartbroken along with them, and overjoyed with them. History, romance & twists and turns at every corner. Just when you think you have it figured out, it'll change. Once again, great book!

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Anonymous

Posted June 7, 2010

Ok

For me this book was a little bit hard to understand.As a high school student I look for an easy read ecspecially in the summer. The characters were alright, but nothing very exciting happened in the book. I wasn't very motivated to read more.

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KABA

Posted March 18, 2009

Very touching story

This was my second book by this author and it was not the type of books I normally read, but it was a good book that had me gasping at points. I could actually picture some of the scenes in my head because of the writing that was well done. I found it an easy and light read and a good break from school reading.

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Great book and great author

This is the third or fourht book I have read by Eva Ibbotson and she is offically one of my favorite authors. All of her books leave you wanting more of her writing and with a sense of wonder. She is a wonderful writer. I really enjoyed this book becuase of its origionality. I have never before read a book with characters, animals and places such as this one. She makes the places so easy to imagine it is almost as if you are there. This book kept me up all night becuase I just could not put it down and I must say the ending does not disapoint.

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One Of The Best

This is the first book I ever read from Eva Ibbotson and I must say that I loved it. I have found that her books can be somewhat difficult to read at first but once you understand the story line you can't put it down. If you still don't understand I would recommend rereading it.

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Anonymous

Posted May 21, 2008

Wonderfully Loveable!

This was the first book I read from Eva Ibbotson and this is my favorite. The story was great and the writing was wonderful. I have read her other books and I love them all. I would reccomend this book to anyone that wants a great read.

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Anonymous

Posted May 14, 2008

Very good

it was such a good book, very charming and well written, although I felt there where maybe to many things happening at the end I really enjoy it.

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Anonymous

Posted April 21, 2008

I 3 Marek

This is the first book I read of Ibbotson's and I have to say I haven't stopped since. I feel that all her books start a little slow, laying the foundation, but has soon as it gets its flow, you can't put it down! It's a great love story and I definitely recommend this book and all her others! (I'm currently reading 'A Countess Below Stairs')

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Anonymous

Posted April 24, 2008

very good

i really enjoyed this bok, very well written, extremely inspiring and at times very sad.

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Anonymous

Posted April 7, 2008

Book worm

it was kinda slow and boring to begin with, because I thought it would be 'fast' like the other books she wrote. Over all it was a great book.

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Anonymous

Posted February 13, 2008

best book written by Eva Ibbotson!

I really enjoyed this book! I thought that it was the best out of her other book. I love that it was set in WWII era, and you really start to care about the characters, especially Marek and Ellen's relationship. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read!

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Anonymous

Posted December 17, 2007

Very Good!!

I was pleasantly suprised at how good this book was. I have read other books by the same author and this is by far my favorite. The characters are well written and the author makes you genuinely like her characters. It is worth reading.

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Anonymous

Posted January 11, 2008

Surprisingly Good Read

I picked this book up not expecting too much from it, and was pleasantly surprised. It was historically accurate, the interaction between the protagonist and her love interest, Marek, was interesting to read, and the story actually manages to insert some unexpected plot twists. Overall, I really enjoyed this, and recommend it to anyone interested.

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